SFI 2015-2019 Standard Review Process

The SFI Standard is periodically reviewed through an open and public process that addresses research, responds to emerging issues and ensures continuous improvement of SFI program participants’ performance.

The SFI 2015-2019 Standard review process was launched in June 2013. Invitations to comment on the SFI 2010-2014 SFI Standard were sent to nearly 10,000 stakeholders. These stakeholder comments were used by the Standards Review task groups to develop the first draft of the SFI 2015-2019 Program Requirements. Comments received during the first public comment period were augmented by comments received at two workshops – one at the September 2013 SFI Annual Conference and one conducted in Washington, DC in November 2013.

During the final public comment period which runs from January 6 to March 7, 2014, stakeholders were asked to submit comments on the draft SFI 2015-2019 Standard using the on-line survey tool on the SFI website. To assist stakeholders a draft of the SFI 2015-2019 Sections 2, Section 3, Section 4, Section 6, Section 7 and Section 13 have been posted to the SFI website along with a summary of enhancements to the SFI 2015-2019 Standard. A Summary of Responses to Comments submitted during the first public comment period is available; and a summary of the final public comment period will be posted once available.

The final public comment period will be supplemented by nine regional workshops and one webinar, which allowed stakeholders to provide feedback on the draft SFI 2015-2019 Standard. These workshops and webinar were facilitated by the Keystone Center and included SFI Inc. staff.

The SFI Resources Committee has the primary responsibility for review and analysis of the public comments and development of the new SFI 2015 - 2019 program requirements. The Resource Committee will consider all feedback from the public comment periods and Workshops. At regular intervals during the SFI Standard review process the draft requirements are reviewed by the SFI Board of Directors which is an 18 member body with representation from the environmental, social and economic sectors. Final approval of the SFI 2015-2019 Standard is the responsibility of the SFI Inc. Board of Directors.

Providing independent oversight of the SFI Standard Development process is the SFI External Review Panel. An independent panel drawn from academia, government agencies and conservation organizations the External Review Panel ensures the development and revision of the SFI Standard embodies an open, fair and inclusive process that addresses the ideas and concepts forwarded through comments submitted. All comments submitted during the public review periods and Workshops are reviewed by the External Review Panel to assess how these comments have been addressed.

The final draft of the SFI 2015-2019 Program Requirements is reviewed and approved by the SFI Inc. Board of Directors with a launch date of January 2015. SFI-certified companies will have up to one year after a new standard is approved to implement all the new requirements and must demonstrate conformance to the new requirements at their next surveillance audit following the implementation period.